RP still needs to import rice
In
spite of billions of pesos spent by the government on increasing rice
production to a level of self-sufficiency, the country still needs to
import 15 to 20 percent of its rice needs.
"Save
for a brief period where we actually exported rice, several
administrations over three decades has been mouthing the words food
self-sufficiency as tens of millions try to get by with just a few
handfuls of rice, Senator Richard Gordon said.
"We
have been pouring billions of pesos into land reform, agricultural
productivity and food subsidy programs that have so far resulted in
higher rice prices and people still going hungry. If we had a
government that is really serious about solving our yearly rice supply
problem, there will be no reason why we won’t be able to put an end to
rice insufficiency in three years or less," he said.
He
pointed out that even as the government struggles to cope with the real
rice situation, there are indications that government funds being
poured into food production and food subsidies are being eaten up by
corrupt and wasteful practices.
"As
chairman of the Senate Committee for GOCCs, I wouldn’t be beyond
calling the NFA to the Senate or taking the Senate to NFA warehouses to
check every page of their records. We might be spending R20 billion to
give our people affordable rice. It is time to be really certain that
we’re not just lining the pockets of a rice mafia. Kulang na nga ang
bigas, baka nabuburiki pa," said Gordon, who pointed out a need to
check on the possible misuse of government funds allotted to
agriculture.
RISE IN RICE YIELD SEEN
By GENALYN D. KABILING
TEMPO 4/1/2008
http://www.tempo.com.ph/news.php?aid=37314
April 29th, 2008 at 6:27 am
it’s funny that the philippines, an agricultural country, is in dire need of rice. somebody’s pocket got full and possibly spilling. i think generations upon generations will pass and still the problem of corruption persists, a hopeless social cancer. has it become a part of the filipino culture?